By Richard Mukwenya
Two brothers from Nyamande village under Chief Geza in Mwenezi fatally assaulted a fellow villager on February 11, 2025 following an altercation over a cow that had been injured by the earlier.
Goodman and Checkmore Makanani, who are brothers, attacked Oliver Nyamande (32) with stones while he tried to flee from the scene after they had a fight regarding a previous cattle dispute.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa confirmed the incident to TellZim News and urged members of the public to resolve disputes in peaceful ways.
“I confirm an incident where Oliver Nyamande (32) died in an altercation following a dispute involving after a fight of cattle compensation dispute.
“I urge members of the public to solve disputes peacefully and desist from the use of violence. Dialogue is the only way forward after a misunderstanding,” said Dhewa.
Circumstances are that on February 11 at around 1800 hours Oliver was drinking beer at Machakanye Business Centre in Mwenezi when he heard that his 17-year-old male cousinr was being assaulted by Goodman Makanani (21).
Oliver was told that Goodman was claiming that his elder brother Checkmore Makanani (26) had compensated the Nyamande family with a cow after they had physically injured one of their cattle’s leg, which he did not agree with. Goodman is said to have kept beating the 17-year-old juvenile demanding that he was supposed to return their cow.
Christopher Chauke (34) and Goodboy Nyamande (30) then accompanied Oliver to the scene holding a machete and upon arrival the three started slapping Goodman on his head.
Checkmore, who was at the scene started throwing stones at the 17-year-old, which made Goodboy and Oliver flee, with Checkmore and Goodman in hot pursuit, throwing stones.
Oliver was then hit by a stone and he fell down, dropping his machete as he had already started bleeding from the head shoulders.
Checkmore and Goodman caught up him, picked up his machete and allegedly hit him on the right leg and continued to stone him, aiming for his head and cheeks before fleeing.
The 17-years-old and Goodboy Nyamande came back and carried Oliver home, who then died on the way.
The matter was reported to the police and Checkmore was arrested but Goodman fled and was yet to be apprehended.
The deceased’s body was taken to Neshuro District Hospital for post mortem.
